Matt Hall’s tall tales
He states: ?When I was younger I wasn?t selected for teams because of my height but it only made me more determined to prove people wrong.
?I love this game and want to see how far I can go within it as a player.?
Having come through the ranks of Easts Schools, NSW Schoolboys, Sutherland and winning the National Youth League, both as Premiers and Grand Final winners last season with Sydney FC, it goes some way to showing the lad has what it takes and, perhaps, proving some people cannot see the wood for the trees.
He is a likeable kid with a ready wit as ?best advice? questions are answered with: ?Socks on first then boots? amply displays but joking aside he has a burning ambition: ?Firstly I want to cement a regular starting spot with Brad Boardman at Sutherland this season and take it from there.
?Obviously I want to get noticed but it?s here I want to make a name for myself although the team will always come first and I will do whatever it takes for that to happen.
?I tasted success with Sydney FC last year and now I want to do it with Sutherland this year and if I can play a part in bringing a trophy or two to the club it will be a major stepping stone.?
I?m sure girlfriend Jess would agree with the sentiment as he continues: ?Obviously I would like to get an A-League contract one day but unlike some I would prefer to make my name in Australia before I entertain ideas of maybe playing overseas one day and it?s surely everyone?s dream to one day be lucky enough to pull on the Green and Gold and represent Australia but I know that is some way off and is something I need to work hard on to achieve.?
For all his tender years the youngster has his feet firmly on the ground and rates playing alongside Brendan Gan as one of the most exciting players he has seen: ?Ganny is a player I just love to watch play and be alongside.
?His vision is second to none and he is always cool under pressure.?
For a kid who rates Ronaldo and Kaka as his favourite players it is high praise indeed but Matt also has a terrific sense of humour and names team-mate Boardman as the joker of the Sutherland side, as do so many others at the club which, if truth be told, is pretty much a given!
Rating his mum and dad ? Peter and Jenny ? as his greatest influences, not just in football but life in general, Hall displays his humble nature. Something that will stand him in good stead over the years to come.
Determined he certainly is and has gained plenty from the likes of George Souris and David Huxley, he takes all things in his stride and takes the positive from all situations.
If his so called lack of height has gone against him in the past, his pluck, courage and ticker will carry him forward in the future and one can see that he will leave behind some very large boots to fill when looking back on his career.
-By Micky Brock
